Single Bevel vs Double Bevel Miter Saw: Which one is best?
If there’s one thing that can be said, it’s that there are plenty of different miter saws on the market and choosing the right one can be a little difficult, especially with all of the choices. The first step to figuring out which one is right for you is to consider the type of cut each does, and one of the most frequently asked questions is, what’s the difference between a single bevel vs double bevel miter saw?In this guide, we’re going to compare both to one another to not only help you determine which is the best for your needs but to also get a deeper understanding of the differences between both. Although a single and double bevel design are considered as types of miter saws, they are quite different from one another, and for good reason.
Direct Comparison
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Product 1: Single Bevel Miter Saw
- Spec/Feature/Value #1: Number of Cutting Directions: One (left or right)
- Spec/Feature/Value #2: Difficulty of Cuts: Hard
- Spec/Feature/Value #3: Time Consumption: High
- Spec/Feature/Value #4: Cutting Types: Miter and bevel
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Product 2: Double Bevel Miter Saw
- Spec/Feature/Value #1: Number of Cutting Directions: Multiple
- Spec/Feature/Value #2: Difficulty of Cuts: Easy
- Spec/Feature/Value #3: Time Consumption: Low
- Spec/Feature/Value #4: Cutting Types: Miter and bevel
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Breaking it down
There are plenty of important things to think about when it comes to buying tools, but when you’re looking at saws it’s most important to think about speed, precision, and value.
It’s far too often that the everyday handyman finds themselves looking at different types of miter saws only to settle on the most expensive model, which might be too advanced, or the least expensive model, which doesn’t offer enough features. By thinking about speed, precision, and value, you’ll make the right choice every time.
Speed
When discussing speed, it doesn’t necessarily mean how fast the blades move, as it’s easy to assume the blades on both single bevel and double bevel miter saws turn incredibly quickly, but more so how long it will take for you to make a cut.
Single Bevel Miter Saw
You might think that a single bevel miter saw will work far faster than its counterpart, but you would be quite wrong. The first issue with a single design is that you will be responsible for turning and flipping the material as you cut, which can lead to more time being put into the job in an effort to line up the cuts and measurements to the best of your ability.
In the event that you make an incorrect cut, you’ll have to scrap your material and start all over again from the beginning.
Double Bevel Miter Saw
In comparison, a double bevel miter saw is substantially faster as you’ll have the ability to cut in any direction you choose without having to physically handle the material. You can adjust the position of the piece your working on, but there’s no need for flips or spending a few minutes lining up the saw before every single cut.
Winner: Double Bevel Miter Saw
There’s no reason as to why you should extend your project time by hours because you’re consistently having to readjust materials in an effort to get the perfect positioning. With a double bevel miter saw, you adjust the saw rather than adjusting the materials, helping you to finish faster and more precise.
Precision
Precision is particularly important, especially when debating between a single bevel vs double bevel miter saw. The last thing you’ll want is to be working with a device that isn’t going to be able to give you a clean and accurate cut, as this can ruin your entire project.
Single Bevel Miter Saw
Slightly relating to speed, a single bevel miter saw will require you to flip your workpiece with every cut, which is going to throw your precision off. You’ll have to spend a far longer time adjusting the piece in hopes that you’ll be able to make an accurate cut every time and with each flip, your chance of inaccuracies will grow.
Double Bevel Miter Saw
If you’re the type of professional that focuses primarily on precise cuts, you’re going to need a double bevel miter saw, there’s no doubt about it. These machines offer pristine quality cutting, especially when it comes to working on a high-end project. As you’ll be able to adjust the saw as you see fit without having to maneuver the material, your cuts will be faster and more precise.
Winner: Double Bevel Miter Saw
There’s nothing that can hold a flame to the accuracy of cutting with a double bevel miter saw. There’s little to no room for human error as you won’t be responsible for flipping or readjusting the materials you’re working on, all you’ll have are quick, simple, and accurate cuts.
Value
As a feature that might be of more importance to a beginner or an average handyman rather than a professional, you’re going to need to take value into account.
Single Bevel Miter Saw
Due to the amount of labor that you’ll have to put into using a single bevel miter saw, it’s obviously the less expensive choice if you’re working on a tight budget. For infrequent projects where you’re not going to need to make many cuts on a single piece of material, it would be the better and least expensive option.
Double Bevel Miter Saw
However, as a professional woodworker, you’re not going to want to take chances when it comes to the accuracy and efficiency of your cuts. Although a double bevel miter saw may be more expensive, they are well worth the investment as their quality of cutting is unmatched.
Winner: Tie
When it comes to value, the single bevel miter saw is the least expensive option, however, it doesn’t perform to the same standards as the double bevel miter saw. As value does not only mean the amount you’ll spend but also the reliability of the tool and its longevity, both offer their own benefits depending on how you intend on using them.
Final Recount
Single Bevel Miter Saw: 1/3Double Bevel Miter Saw: 3/3Although the double bevel miter saw might outperform the single bevel models in most areas, it might not mean that it’s the best overall pick for everyday use. Below are some important pros and cons of each to give you a better idea of what would be the best tool choice for all projects.
Pros and Cons of Each
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CONS |
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Single Bevel Miter Saw |
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Double Bevel Miter Saw |
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Final Verdict
If you’re going to invest your time and money into finding the perfect tools for the job, you should surely consider the double bevel miter saw over the single bevel design purely because it’s going to make every job far easier.
By eliminating the need to readjust materials with every cut, you’re going to be able to work efficiently and with minimal effort. Although a double bevel miter saw may be substantially more expensive than the single bevel, it’s well worth the money if you expect to be using the machine repetitively over the coming years.